Display construction



Jan., 5, i932. s. Fnsi-IER 1,839,871

DI SPLAYy CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 12, 1931 asneets-sneet 2 5 5am/10m fbx/ER. l

Patented Jan. 5, 1932 STATES SOLOMON FISHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS DISPLAY CONSTRUCTION Application led January 12, 1931. Serial No. 508,192.

This invention relates to a display construction and has special reference to a panel construction for forming a background for interior, window and booth displays of merchandise.

More particularly', this invention relates to a panel comprising a sheet of rigid or selfsustaining material such as ordinary cardboard, chipboard, or the like, on which a surfacing or coating of decorative paper, foil or paint is glued or brushed, the panel being scored at spaced. intervals alternately on opposite sides thereof either regularly or irregularly to outline a series of pleats into which the panel may be organized.

Perhaps the greatest concern of producers of advertising dis lays is the delivery and installation thereo After a window or other display has been constructed according to the present standards, the same is crated in a large cumbersome crate for preservation in handling. If the display is of substantial dimensions, it is built in sections for convenience in handling although this manner of 35 construction is undesirable owing to the necessary unsightliness ofpiecing the parts together at the place of installation. The bulkiness of the shipment, of course, adds considerably to the cost of handling.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a panel construction which may be so arranged when several units are assembled that no seam or edge is seen where the units are fastened together. The accordion pleated panels, as' one form will be called hereinafter, are formed by scoring at spaced intervals alternately on opposite sides of the panel and present, when properly folded, a series of pleats preferabl in an odd numberto resemble the folds o the bellows art of an accordion. Also, the folds may be lrregularly scored on opposite sides to form box pleats or alternately box and accordion pleats, or other variations. The last pleat at one end of a panel extends in a direction away from the, observer to overlap and thereby to exclude from sight the forwardly extending pleat at the other end of the adjacent panel. The connection of the two panels merely gives the appearance of the line of fold as is found in the other pleats. v

It is a further object of this invention to provide a panel construction in which any number thereof may be attached to ether as one for any length of background' or ooth, the panels being capable of being folded like an accordion to occupy but a minimum of space and to obviate the necessity of providing a package for preservation in handling. In this connection it is to be noted that each panel is siX or seven. feet high and twenty-six inches wide when in an extended condition and but approximately one by two inches by the same height when prepared for shipping o1; storage. l

As noted above, the preparation of the background for delivery and the actual delivery thereof may be accomplished with a minimum of time, expense and inconvenience. It is also an object of this invention to rovide a panel of the character noted a ove which may be easily installed. The material of the panel we have already recited is of ordinary cardboard, chipboard or of like materials which are light and therefore easily handled and worked. Almost unlimited ideas may be worked out into backgrounds with a pair` of shears, a knife, and a sheet of pins.

Another great diiculty in the usual backgrounds on the market today lies in the warping of the panels. A single sheet of cardboard `or the like when stood on .end invariably wa-rps unless rprovided with a stiifener in the form of a wooden frame or of like means. In the present invention the construction of the panel is such as to prevent warping in any direction without the use of separate meanswhich will be readily apparent from .the drawings. From the artistic point of view, '.90

the pleated panels give avdepth to the background not to be had in the usual displays which have plain surfaces and are, therefore, flat and without depth. The pleated panels have that function of reflecting highlights and shadows.

A still further object of this invention 1s to provide a panel construction as indicated above which is inexpensive to manufacture, is attractive in appearance, and is durable.

Again, it is the objectof this invention to rovide a panel construction of the type reerred to above which may be self-supporting.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a window display employing a series of panels ofthe type as taught by the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofseveral panels connected together;

Fig. 3 is a group of panels showing several of the decorative effects which may be produced at the upper ends thereof;

Fig. 1y is a perspective view of a panel, the ends of which are secured together to form a self-supporting base;

F ig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. t showing the panel arranged into a configuration somewhat dierent than that shown in Fig. 4;;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a panel when folded into a package for shipmentor storage;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of a panel showing the same after it has been scored;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of the panel shown in Fig/Z showing the material between the scored portions as being folded alternately backward and forward to resemble the folds of the bellows part of an accordion;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a positioning member for the pleats;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 although substantially reduced showing a modified form of positioning means;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1() showing still another form of positioning means; and

y Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the panels showing an easel support secured to 4the pleat positioning member.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 7 thereof, the device of this invention comprises a sheet 15 of rigid or self-sustaining material such as the usual cardboard or chipboard. It may be desirable to finish the rear side of the chipboard by gluing thereto a piece of ordinary paper 16 merely to cover the cardboard or chipboard to a more pleasing appearance to the backside of the panel. A sheet of decorative paper or foil 17 may be glued on the front side of the panel to give the decorative effect for which the background is employed, although, it will be noted that a coating of paint, gilt, or the like, may be employed perhaps as effectively as any other decorative material.

After the cardboard or chipboard 15 has been surfaced or coated, the sheet which is six or seven feet long and about twenty-six inches wide is preferably run through a machine having rotary blades to score the panel in a lengthwise direction to produce weakened portions having a line of fold for the pleats. The score marks 18 on the face side of the panel are disposed about four inches apart and the score marks 19 on the opposite side of the panel are placed the same distance apart although intermediate the score marks 18. The scoring thus provided readily permits the formation of pleats folded in a manner to resemble the folds of the bellows part .of an accordion, the one fold being forwardly and the next fold rearwardly throughout the length thereof. This construction, of course, may be varied at will to produce different effects. Inasmuch as the panel is twenty-six inches wide, the score marks will set off or outline exactly 13 pleats. It is preferable to employ an odd number of pleats for the reason that in an organization of several panels there willbe no seam or edge exposed when they are fastened together, as will be more particularly noted with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter described more fully.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the 'scored panel of Fig. 7 has been folded to roduce an accordion pleated panel, two of t e pleats, when taken together, being organized into a il-shape or inverted V-shape depending upon the combination selected. This results in the formation of a base upon which the panel may rest so that each panel is self-supporting except, of course, as against unnatural forces. A panel twenty-six inches wide, when in the condition shown in Fig. 7, should cover a space of about twenty inches in width .when in the condition shown in Fig. 8. However, referring more particularly to Fig. 6, the

same panel, when prepared for shipping or` storaging, may be folded into a package that is two inches in one direction, that is, the width of the pleats, by about one inch wide, that is, the total thicknesses of the pleats, the panel being six or seven feet long. This makesan extremely convenient and economical package to handle, to ship, and to store.

For decorating a show window twentytwo feet long requiring about fifteen panels for background material, the entire number of panels could be shipped in a package five done on the panel, as attractive an appeartiti ance may be produced as could result from any background which may be manufactured.

Also, inasmuch as the device is made of arigid or selfsustaining material the panel is very durable.

ln order to more definitely position the pleats in a single plane and also in order to hold the pleats in substantially the same angle with respect to each other that the background may be symmetrical, a heavy paper or fabric tab may be fastened on the rear side of two adjoining pleats, that is, one end of the tab may be glued or otherwise secured to one pleat adjacent the scoring and the other end of the tab may be secured in a like manner to an adjoining pleat adjacent the scoring. A loop or surplus of material in such a case is left between the fastened ends of the tab through which apertures are formed to receive a. rod 21, which latter may be of suiiicient length to position several panels. Any desired number of tabs 20 may be employed, it being noted that in Fig. 9 each rear formation is provided with a tab whereas it may only be desirable to provide a tab for every ether or every third or more rear formation. rlifhe outer end of the panel or the last pleat may have a tab, both ends of which latter are fastened to the one end of the pleat.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. it), it will be noted that the tabs 20 have fastened thereto a cord 22 in place of the rod 2i. llhis is a modied form and may be desirable in instances of use where the panel effects a circular or curvilinear background.

We have hereinbefore shown the use of a positioning means comprising tabs through which or into which other means have been secured,- although, it may be desirable to eliminate the tabs and merely provide apertures in the pleats of the panel itself. such as is 'shown in Fig. 1l, the apertures 23 receiving either a rod 24 or a cord, which latter is not shown. A positioning member such as this may be desired in many instances and would, of course, be less expensive to manufacture than the construction heretofore illustrated and described. However, in the latter instance, the rod or cord is exposed to view and would preferably be of some decorative edect and of a color to either form a direct contrast or to become absorbed in the background.

We have heretofore expressed a quality of the anel construction as being that of supporting itself by reason of its V-shaped cross section. We have qualified this statement by saying that it is self-supporting except against unnatural forces. In order, therefore, to make the construction fool-proof, an easel support 25 may be hinged or otherwise fastened to the rod 21 or to a portion of the panel for preventing the displacement of the panel by unnatural forces. In such an event but a single easel support 25 may be provided for one section whereafter all of the other units inthe organization of the background are likewise supported thereby.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 4, a panel is shown in which the longitudinal ends thereof are fastened together to form a supporting base on -which may be placed articles for display. The ends may be fastened together by the usual clips or pins, the contour of the support being of any desired shape to harmonize with the background. For example, in Fig. 4, a star-shaped cross section may be produced. ln Fig. 5, the same suporting member has been reorganized into an e ongated shape which may be more desirable with other settings. These supports may be provided in any desired heights and are of sutlicient strength to support great weights.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3, it will be noted that various decorative effects may be obtained by merely trimming the upper end to harmonize with the setting desired. All of .these effects may be obtained with a pair of shears inasmuch as the material of the panel is of cardboard, the edects obtainable being limited only by the individuals ideas.

The panels are fastened together as one for any length of background. It is impossible to note where the' panels are fastened together because no sea-m or edge is exposed. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, five panels are shown fastened together, the two end panels bein directed at an angle to the three intermedlate'panels. lt will be noted that the last pleat 26 at one end of aV panel extends in a direction away from the observer to overlap and thereby to exclude from sight the forwardly extending pleat of the other end of the adjacent panel. The connection of the various panels, therefore, merely gives the appearance of a line of fold which is found several times in all of the pleats. Thereby the necessary unsightliness of piecing the parts together as in the standard displays on the market today is avoided. rlhe installation of the panels is, of course, very simple, the overlapping pleats being merely fastened together by cleats, pins, or in any other manner to 'which-the average layman may readily adapt himself.

A sample display window is shown in 'Figure 1 in which units are organized into a Asingle background having the effect of a single sheet of material. ground being of approximately twelve feet in len h would have to be fabricated at the manu acturers in several sections, placed in crates and shipped under substantial expense to itsqdestination whereafter the sections would have to be uncrated and pieced together. In standard constructions the piecing together of the sections to form a single continuous ybackground is usually unsightly owing to the fact that the continuity of the picture or other representation is broken. The uniformity of the present construction eliminates the possibility of the continuity being broken. In the present instance, the background may be shipped in a single packageuncrated and merely tied together with a string. The weight is slight and the entire display could be very easily carriedbyasingle messenger boy with little inconvenience, the package including the six pieces of varying heights shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, together with the positioning means. Any vdecorative eHect may be obtained Whether it is a picture or merely another decorative eifect obtained'by paper or paint. The heights of the 'panels and the shapes thereof may be varied -to accommodate any desired setting. i

As a result of this invention, a background of any desired length may be formed of a great number of units having the appearance of a single panel, there being novseams or edges exposed to sight when the various units are fastened together.- The panels may be kept in stock and sold at a minimum of expense owing to\ the fact thatthey may be produced in quantity production and ordered V.directly from stock for any type installation.

The material of the panels is such that it may be readily Vformed into any desired shape merely with the use ofa pair of shears. The panels may be organized-into backgrounds of great length by securing means commonly known to the average layman, such as pins, clips, and the usual paper fasteners. Any desired decorative effect maybe obtained owing to the unlimited possibilities with which the background material may be treated. Various surfacings or coatings may be disposed on the cardboard stock. The panels may be folded so as to occupy but a minimum of space and thereby reduce the expense in handling and reducethe space required for storage. There is no likelihood of the panels becoming mutilated or destroyed even though they are not crated or otherwise preserved for handling. The panels are prevented from warping owing to the V-shaped cross section thereof. The panels twenty-six inches in width may be folded into a package one by two inches and a sufficient number of these small packages organized into a bundle five by six inches square Ordinarily, this backfor accommodating the usual entire window I display.

It will be understood that the above dimensions are merely for illustrative purposes and that the shapes and materials employed may7 be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the s irit and scope of this invention, and, there ore, the same is to be limited only b the scope of the prior art and the appende claims.

I claim: y

1. A display construction comprising a pleated panel, and separatemeans associated with said pleats to determine the posi- -tions thereof. j

2. A display construction comprising a pleated panel, and a rod for engagement Witha plurality of said pleats to determine the positions thereof.

3. A display construction comprising a pleated panel, and a rod for determining the positions of said pleats, said panel having means in which said rod is detachably connected.

4. A display construction comprising a pleated panel, and a rod for determining the positions. of said pleats, said panel having registering apertures in the pleats thereof through which said rod is inserted.

5. A display construction comprising a pleated panel, tabs secured to a plurality of said pleats, and means for connecting said tabs for determining the positions of said pleats.

6. A display construction 'comprising a pleated panel, tabs secured to a plurality of said pleats, said tabs having apertures therein, and means for engaging said apertures to determine the positions of said pleats.

7. A 'display construction comprising a pleated panel, and a cord secured to a pluralityv of pleats thereof to determine the positions of the pleats of said panel.

8. A display construction comprising a pleated panel having the ends thereof fastened together to form a standard for supporting an object.

9. A display construction comprising a plurality vof assembled units v of pleated panels, said panels consisting of an oddl number of pleats whereby one end pleat extending in a dlrection away from an observer overin order that no edge or seam is seen when the units are assembled.

11. A display construction comprising a plurality of assembled units of pleated panels, each of said panels being formed of a backing material having a decorative facing thereover and being scored on Opposite sides thereof to provide lines of fold for said pleats, the end pleats of adjacent intermediate panels overlapping in a manner such that the overlapping pleat extends in a direction away from the observer in order that no edge or seam is seen When' the units are assembled.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

SOLOMON FISHER. 

